Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference © 2011 IAABD
3. The provision of protection to ships, such as the French’s provision of escorts to the World Food
Program (WFP) shipping food aid to Somalia is a factor in understanding the diversion of piratical
activities along the northern coast, as pirates from southern Somalia have moved north in search of
better hunting grounds (Møller 2009a).
4. The use of mother ships (which enable pirates to attack large vessels such as oil tankers) as a new
effective modus operandi is a critical factor that helps to explain the recent surge in piracy in GOA
and coast of Somalia (Møller 2009a, 12).
5. The existence of sanctuaries in parts of Somalia and pirate networks in the business sector and
colluding by officials in Puntland not only facilitate but sustain piratical activities in Somalia. The
sanctuaries provide not only support and hiding places but important channels for the disposal of
loots. Some of hamlets which serve as sanctuaries have been transformed into veritable boomtowns as
a result of pirate activities. As underscored by Puchala (2005, 7), “pirates cannot function, and piracy
could never have survived unless there were sympathizers, protectors and customers on shore ready,
willing and able to provide sanctuary.” There are also other networks through which the pirates are
able to transfer and receive funds, receive valuable information about the types of ships, cargo, and
timing from Somalis in the Persian Gulf (Dagne 2009, 4 – 5). The hawala, which has its origins in
classical Islamic law, is one such important network that facilitates the receipt and remittance of
funds to and from pirate groups. The hawala is a network of money brokers who transfer funds from
one city to another on behalf of their clients. Financiers of pirate activities therefore use the hawala to
transmit money and proceeds to and from pirate.
6. Finally, the proliferation of sophisticated lethal small firearms and other weapons has provided
Somali pirates with enhanced means to operate with more destruction and impunity (Chalk 2008).
Types of piracy and trends in piratical activities in GOA and ECS
In his study of contemporary piracy in Southeast Asia, Chalk (1998, 88-89) identified three types of
piracy in the region: harbor and anchorage thefts/attacks; ransacking and robbery of vessels on the high
seas or territorial waters; and hijacking of vessels for use for illegal trade (phantom ship). Herbert-Burns
(2007, 98) identified five classifications of piratical attacks: simple robbery of ship stores and valuables
from vessels at anchor; armed/violent robbery against vessels at anchor; armed/violent robbery against
vessels underway or making way; armed attacks against ships underway or making way for purposes of
hostage-taking and ransom demand; and deliberate vessel hijacking and devolution (phantom ship
operations). Based on current reporting on piracy in GOA and ECS, there are three discernable categories
of piracy: ransacking and armed robbery on high seas and territorial Somali waters; hijacking of vessels
for ransom taking; and hijacking of ships for use as phantom or mother ships for illegal trade. (Mother
ships have been defined as ships used for illegal activities; they are large blue-water fishing boats or even
small coastal general cargo vessels equipped with either dedicated or retrofitted cargo loading derricks
that can carry several smaller assault craft which can be lowered into water at the optimum time for the
assault (Herbert-Burns 2007, 106). Both the IMB (2009) and ICC-CCS (2009a) reports for 2008 indicate
that piracy in Somalia and GOA occurred while the vessels were steaming and that the operations were
well planned and involved the application of automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade (RPG). For
example, most of the actual and attempted attacks in 2008 and 2009 occurred while the vessels were
steaming (ICC-IMB 2009 and 2010).
There are at least four identifiable pirate groups operating in GOA and ECS: The National Volunteer
Coast Guard (NVCGS) which is led by Garaad Mohamed and specializes in the interception of small
boats and fishing vessels around Kismayo on the southern coast of Somalia. The Marka group is led by
Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siad. This group is made of several scattered and less organized groups
operating in the vicinity of the Marka town. There is also the Puntland group composed mainly of
traditional Somali fishermen which operate around Puntland area. The Somali Marines group is the most
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